5 Unanswered Questions ahead of 10th Edition

Hi all,
As we near the launch date for the 10th edition of 40k the leaks and reveals are multiplying exponentially. As such we have a lot of reactions (positive and otherwise), but there are a lot of unknowns. For some of these questions we won’t know the answer for a few years, but others will be more immediate.

1. What will balance look like upon release?
This is one of the most pressing questions players are asking. The chance to reset the whole game should mean that all armies start on a level playing field. Alternatively, it also means that there are many more datasheets to balance, and things may slip the net. We have seen a number of Death Guard players complain about their rules, while the Aeldari reveals have also been very strong. The release will be critical as many armies will go 1 year or more without a codex, and may be at the mercy of balance updates to stay relevant/playable. The major thing to remember is that we haven’t seen the point values yet, this is what will make or break all armies.

2. How will the terrain rules work?
This is a smaller worry that I have. It might be due to the lose of dense cover, or difficult terrain, but my bigger worry is titanic models. To put it bluntly many types of terrain are simply not suitable for a game where aircraft and titans can shoot freely. While AP is down, and cover easier to get, I don’t know if that will compensate for the metric weight of fire that some forces can put out. Terrain never really worked great in 9th ed. and so I am curious if they will try to refine the 10th ed mechanics at a future date.

3. Will the App work?
With the appeal of Battlescribe starting to fade, given the issues facing a 10th ed upgrade, there will be a lot of pressure on GW to get this part right on the first try. This will be a big ask given the sheer number of datasheets in the game but the new force building rules and enhancement system should make it easier. If they want this to be a staple of matched play then GW will have a very short window to win player’s trust. The app needs to be comprehensive, accurate and easy to navigate, all of which are big asks.

4. How will players react to the increased monetization of the hobby?
One of the buried implications of the new mission decks is that players will likely need multiple over the course of 10th edition. I fully expect these decks to be swapped out every year, meaning everyone will need a new copy. This means the price of these decks may become a grumbling point among players (it’s also the downside of making them required to play non-matched play games as well). There are ways around this, just print your own copies, or borrow a friend’s. The changing role of the codex will be another thing to watch. If it truly becomes a largely optional lore and art based book that will be nice, but we may just get less content (new formations) for the same price. GW may also try to have all rules on the app and use it as a way to claw back money from independent retailers.

5. Will GW be able to help itself?
GW has shown that it is more than capable of screwing up a game system in just a few years. With the rapid release cycle and focus on addition content, the danger of bloat is ever-present. 9th edition was billed as “the most balanced yet” and, while this was kinda true when all armies were released. Since then, GW has dropped many play-testers, and thus the balance of this edition will be interesting. The dropping of numerous Forge World models has also been an unpopular decision (although it does make some sense) and raises the specter of further model cuts (especially for expensive resin models). It does open a door to my post-heresy Scouring game type theory though!

Regardless, this release is definitely GW’s most modern one. The introduction of an app is long overdue, and the simplification of the game is a welcome one. GW has managed to consistently grow 40k through the last few editions and I am excited for what this release will portend.

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